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My eBook “Think Like a Scientist: Understanding Weather & Climate” is now available through NSTA Press. Learn more about this and other NSTA ebooks for the K-5 classroom here.
Author Archives: MrMusselman
Beyond Toothpicks and Marshmallows: Engineering Earthquake Resistant Structures
I’ve been searching high and low for an earthquake engineering design challenge that gave students more control in planning and evaluating their earthquake-resistant constructions than the common “toothpicks and marshmallows” challenge often seen in primary and middle grades. So … Continue reading
Posted in 3-5, Classroom Activities, Digital Tools, NGSS
Tagged earth science, earthquakes, engineering, waves and communication
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Facilitating a Weather & Climate Unit with my new NSTA Kids eBook
NSTA is unveiling a new “Think Like a Scientist” series of eBooks at the #NSTA17 Conference in Los Angeles for elementary age students. While NSTA has been producing eBooks for teachers and older students for some time now, these eBooks may be … Continue reading
Posted in 3-5, Digital Tools, NGSS, Professional Reflections
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A more practical approach to self-assessment rubrics (?)
Self-assessment rubrics sound like a great idea in theory. [My] thinking goes something like this… “I’ll have my students complete the rubric themselves first! It will make them reflect thoughtfully on their work and will save me some painful conversations about … Continue reading
Posted in Digital Tools, Professional Reflections
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A week of learning as @NGSS_tweeps
This past week I was honored with the title of “guest tweeter” for @NGSS_tweeps, a rotating account of K-12 science teachers and administrators managed by middle school teacher and NGSS implementer, Patrick Goff. So after updating the account’s avatar and personal … Continue reading
Posted in NGSS, Professional Reflections
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Using PhET Simulations to Explore the Cause and Effect Relationship between Forces and Motion
One of my goals this year is to develop a third grade forces and motion curriculum with a team of Burlington elementary teachers. While this work is only in its infancy I am optimistic then at least one of the … Continue reading
Modeling Celestial Motions and Next Generation Professional Development
The video, “Private Universe” showcasing Harvard graduates stumbling over the reasons for the seasons has thousands of views on YouTube and has been shared countless other times in science-ed classrooms. The sometimes laughable explanation are enough to make any space science educator … Continue reading
Assessing Human Impact in the Cafeteria
Hundreds of mouths stood agape as six students in white “haz-mat” suits picked through a mountainous pile of trays, plastic wrappers, tater tots and pizza sticks. Shrieks and “ewwwwwww”s carried through the gymnasium. Students and teachers collectively held their noses. … Continue reading
